SCIENCE AND SERVICE NEWS UPDATES

A drug being studied as a fast-acting mood-lifter restored pleasure-seeking behavior independent of – and ahead of – its other antidepressant effects, in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) trial. Within 40 minutes after a single infusion of ketamine, treatment-resistant depressed bipolar disorder patients experienced a reversal of a key symptom – loss of interest in pleasurable activities – which lasted up to 14 days. Brain scans traced the agent’s action to boosted activity in areas at the front and deep in the right hemisphere of the brain.

NIMH CREATES NEW UNIT TO SUPPORT ITS RESEARCH DOMAIN CRITERIA INITIATIVE; RDOC RESEARCH FRAMEWORK WILL HELP GUIDE THE CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS IN CLINICAL STUDIES

A new NIH effort will facilitate communication among scientists, clinicians, and the public to reframe mental health research, from diagnosis to treatment. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) unit was recently established by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to support the development of the institute’s RDoC initiative. The aim of the RDoC initiative is to accelerate the pace of research that translates basic science into clinical settings by understanding the multi-layered systems that contribute to mental function. The RDoC approach emphasizes neurodevelopment and environmental effects, in keeping with modern views about the genesis of mental disorders.

USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO BETTER UNDERSTAND, PREVENT, AND TREAT SUBSTANCE USE; NIH ANNOUNCES 11 AWARDS FUNDED ACROSS THREE INSTITUTES

More than $11 million over three years will be used to support research exploring the use of social media to advance the scientific understanding, prevention, and treatment of substance use and addiction. The awards are funded through the Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH, an NIH consortium involving the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Cancer Institute.

Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/oct2014/nida-17.htm

BULLYING OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ADDRESSED IN GUIDANCE TO AMERICA’S SCHOOLS

As part of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, the United States (U.S.) Department of Education (ED) issued guidance to schools reminding them that bullying is wrong and must not be tolerated—including against America’s 6.5 million students with disabilities. If a student with a disability is being bullied, Federal law requires schools to take immediate and appropriate action to investigate the issue and, as necessary, take steps to stop the bullying and prevent it from recurring.

From 2010 to 2011 the number of emergency department visits involving synthetic cannabinoids – so-called “synthetic marijuana” – more than doubled. Visits rose from 11,406 in 2010 to 28,531 in 2011, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Synthetic cannabinoids are substances that are not derived from the marijuana plant but purport to have the same effect as the marijuana.

SAMHSA AND USDA TEAM UP TO PROMOTE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE US

SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed an interagency agreement to provide new behavioral healthcare capabilities to communities across the nation. Under this continuing interagency agreement, SAMHSA and USDA will build upon collaborations with regional, state, and local public service organizations to improve the gathering, analyses, and sharing of data related to a wide range of mental and substance use disorder issues.

SAMHSA PROVIDES UP TO $743 MILLION TO PROMOTE YOUTH MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PREVENTION PROGRAMS

SAMHSA awarded up to $743 million in funding to programs for preventing mental and substance use disorders among children and youth. These programs provide crucial mental and substance use disorder prevention services in communities throughout the nation by supporting community coalitions and other universal and targeted prevention approaches. The enhanced and expanded services created through this program address a wide array of youth-related behavioral health concerns including suicide prevention, underage drinking, and other substance use prevention efforts.

RESOURCES: PUBLICATIONS, TOOLKITS, OTHER RESOURCES

NEW FROM NIMH

DIRECTOR’S BLOG: DEPRESSION, DAUGHTERS, AND CELLULAR AGING

Currently there is no genetic or imaging tests that can be used to predict risk for depression. NIMH Director Thomas Insel blogs about a longitudinal study suggesting an early sign of depression risk that may provide not only a biomarker but a clue to the relationship between depression and risk for medical illnesses.

LATEST ISSUE OF OUTREACH CONNECTION AVAILABLE

The Fall issue of Outreach Connection, a newsletter distributed by the NIMH Outreach Partnership Program, is now available. This issue highlights how its Program partners are distributing and using NIMH information and research throughout their states and communities.

’CLINICAL TRIALS AND YOU’ SITE USES ‘FRONT PORCH’ APPROACH

This NIH Record article describes the NIH’s Clinical Research and You website, which includes videos of individuals involved in clinical research are fascinating. This site puts clinical research into familiar terms, and offers resources for potential participants to explore clinical research.

MENTALHEALTH.GOV BLOG: SUPPORT FOR COLLEGES TO ASSESS AND ENHANCE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING

This MentalHealth.gov blog post describes a new program developed through a partnership between the Jed Foundation and the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Health Matters Initiative to address two national health issues that are affecting college campuses across the country: mental health and substance abuse issues among college students.

NIDA NOTES: A POTENTIAL MEDICATION FOR MARIJUANA DEPENDENCE

Dr. Kevin M. Gray, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, discusses the promise of N-acetylcysteine as a potential treatment for marijuana use and dependence.

NIDA DIRECTOR’S BLOG:MARIJUANA ADVERTISING AND THE POWER OF CONDITIONING

As social acceptance and public policy around marijuana shift, and especially if legalized recreational use becomes more widespread, the country will need to consider the influence and potential regulation of its marketing. For this, one can use what is already known from the science to guide decisions and policies to minimize harm, because inevitably, advertising is going to reach children and adolescents, people who are addicted to marijuana, and those of all ages who are on their way to becoming addicted. NIDA Director Nora Volkow discusses this research and urges states to consider the lessons learned from tobacco and alcohol policy research.

ENGAGING HIGH-RISK YOUTH IN PREVENTION PROGRAMS

A recent study examined the effectiveness of involving high-risk older youth in the process of adapting an evidence-based substance abuse prevention program, keepin’ it REAL (kiR), for their high-risk peers in one Texas community.

Widening acceptance of and access to medical marijuana in many states raises questions about how availability of marijuana in communities affects incidence and prevalence of marijuana use. A new study conducted in California examined whether the presence and density of medical marijuana dispensaries and delivery services affected patterns of marijuana use in fifty mid-sized cities in that state.

NEW FROM SAMHSA

This issue of SAMHSA News describes a new SAMHSA strategic initiative to address the behavioral health workforce shortage. The issue also describes the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant set aside effort to support “evidence-based programs that address the needs of individuals with early serious mental illness, including psychotic disorders.”

CONNECTING VETERANS TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS

This new issue brief addresses Veteran eligibility for Social Security disability benefits, how Social Security and Veteran Affairs (VA) disability benefits impact one another, and documentation for disability for Veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. The brief also provides guidance on increasing benefits acquisition in Federal, state, and community programs.

PROJECTIONS OF NATIONAL EXPENDITURES FOR TREATMENT OF MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, 2010-2020

This report provides policymakers with essential information about treatment service expenditures for mental health and substance use disorders, sources of financing, and spending trends over time for the period 2010 through 2020.

TALKING WITH CHILDREN: TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS DURING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS

This resource equips parents, caregivers, and teachers with tips for helping children manage their stress during an infectious disease outbreak, such as Ebola. It explains reactions children, preschool to adolescence, may have and the support adults can provide to help them

COPING WITH STRESS DURING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS

This resource offers tips people can use to cope with stress during an outbreak of an infectious disease, such as Ebola. It explains common signs of stress, how to recognize when to get help, and practical ways to manage and relieve the stress by taking care of oneself.

http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA14-4885

DISASTER WORKER RESILIENCE AWARNESS: PODCAST

This podcast is designed to raise participants’ awareness about disaster-related stress and trauma, and provide information on how to recognize and respond to stress, obtain support, and build resilience through stress reduction and coping strategies.

DISASTER PLANNING HANDBOOK FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT PROGRAMS

This resource provides guidance and current best practices in disaster planning. It includes guidance on coordinating for preparedness and response with the state behavioral health agency and with other government entities, community organizations, and treatment programs within the state.

This issue of e-solutions from the SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions features lessons learned, stories of success, and tips from the grantees involved in SAMHSA’s Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration.

This five-part curriculum is designed to inform primary care professionals working in public mental health settings about the unique aspects of behavioral health settings, the people they serve, as well as the opportunities and roles that primary care professionals play in helping to improve the whole health of individuals with serious mental illnesses.

NEW FROM CDC

DEPRESSION AND OBESITY IN THE U.S. ADULT HOUSEHOLD POPULATION

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, in 2005–2010, 43 percent of adults with depression were obese, and adults with depression were more likely to be obese than adults without depression. In every age group, women with depression were more likely to be obese than women without depression.

CDC NATIONAL HEALTH REPORT: LEADING CAUSES OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY AND ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORAL RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS—UNITED STATES, 2005–2013

This MMWR Supplement presents data related to disease patterns across the U.S. and describes recent national trends in health status. Although the U.S. has made overall progress in improving public health and increasing life expectancy, progress has been slow, and in some aspects of health, change has not occurred or trends are not favorable.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su6304a2.htm

SURVEILLANCE FOR CERTAIN HEALTH BEHAVIORS AMONG STATES AND SELECTED LOCAL AREAS

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing, state-based, random digit-dialed telephone survey of non-institutionalized adults aged 18 years and older residing in the U.S. BRFSS collects data on health-risk behaviors, chronic diseases and conditions—including depression, access to health care, and use of preventive health services and practices related to the leading causes of death and disabilities in the U.S.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6309a1.htm

CDC FEATURES: SMOKING IN PREGNANCY: A POSSIBLE RISK FOR ADHD

This online article summarizes a review of the evidence for associations between prenatal smoking and a set of specific neurobehavioral disorders of childhood, including ADHD, but also oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, Tourette syndrome, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability.

CME ACTIVITY: BUILDING AN EVIDENCE BASE FOR THE CO-OCCURRENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND PSYCHIATRIC DISTRESS AND IMPAIRMENT

Upon completion of this CME activity, participants will be able to: analyze the epidemiology of chronic medical disease and mental illness among adults in the U.S.; evaluate the association between chronic disease and psychiatric distress in the current study; assess demographic variables that may strengthen the association between chronic disease and psychiatric distress; and assess other variables that may strengthen the association between chronic disease and psychiatric distress.

Health literacy refers to the ability of a person “to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions.” CDC’s new health literacy website offers content intended for health and communication professionals, as well as the general public. Available resources include online health literacy training courses, information on culture and health literacy, suggestions for organizations to improve their communication efforts, and an overview of the CDC health literacy action plan.

ED launched the Know It 2 Own It campaign to encourage Americans to learn more about the disability rights movement and history that led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July of 1990. Over the next year, the campaign will be posting monthly blogs featuring people who participated in and led the disability rights movement, as well as young adults and students working to make a difference in their communities.

ENHANCING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETERANS

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) latest Health Care Innovations Exchange features behavioral health services for Veterans. The featured Innovations describe an anonymous, online program that enhanced access to behavioral health services and support for Veterans who may be reluctant to seek in-person therapy, a collaboration among civilian and VA behavioral health clinicians to provide co-located services to Veterans and their family members, and a partnership between academic medicine and a majorleague sports team focused on coordinated treatment and support for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The featured QualityTools include videos designed to help providers prevent chronic mental health problems resulting from combat and other war-zone stress, and a website for clinicians that features treatment tools to support the rehabilitation and recovery of Veterans with mental health issues.

https://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/node/8232

SUICIDES AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG ACTIVE COMPONENT MEMBERS OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES, 2010-2012

This Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center Medical Surveillance Monthly Report analyzed data from the Department of Defense Suicide Event Report program about suicide events (suicide attempts and suicides) among active component service members from 2010 to 2012. Most attempts and suicides occurred among service members stationed in the U.S.

http://www.afhsc.mil/documents/pubs/msmrs/2014/v21_n10.pdf#Page=2

EVENTS

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE: 101 WEBINAR

NOVEMBER 4, 2014, 3:00 PM ET

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and SAMHSA are hosting this webinar on the basics of the Health Insurance Marketplace. The webinar will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act and key features of the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov), such as premium tax credits, costsharing reductions, eligibility requirements, renewal instructions, and special enrollment periods. In addition, presenters will discuss how individuals and organizations can help during open enrollment by becoming a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) organization and Champion for Coverage. CACs are volunteers who assist people to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Champions for Coverage help by educating people in their community about the importance of getting covered and how to enroll.

LISTENING SESSION: IMPROVING COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 12, 2014, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM ET

Mark your calendar for an upcoming SAMHSA listening session about criteria development for the

Demonstration Programs to Improve Community Mental Health Services (Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014). Participants can attend in-person or via webcast. Section 223 seeks to create certified community behavioral health clinics. The clinics will focus on improving outcomes by increasing access to community-based behavioral healthcare, expanding the availability and array of services, and improving the quality of care delivered to people with mental and/or substance use disorders. A Federal Register Notice with more details will be issued within the month. Registration is required to attend this forum.

NOVEMBER 12, 2014 2:00 PM ET

WEBINAR: SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT FOR INJURY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

NOVEMBER 19, 2014, 1:00-2:00 PM ET

This webinar is the third in a “Getting Started with Social Media for Injury and Violence Prevention” series offered by the Safe States Alliance and CDC, which will discuss developing credible social media content, building an audience, and learning how to engage with both individuals and organizations.

NATIONAL DRUG FACTS WEEK 2015

JANUARY 26-FEBRUARY 1, 2015

National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) is a national health observance for teens to promote local events that use NIDA science to shatter the myths about drugs. The week brings together teens and scientific experts to shatter persistent myths about drug use and addiction. Ideas for community-based events as well as success stories from previous years are highlighted on the NDFW web portal. Last year, more than 1,000 events were held with teens throughout all states, and several internationally.

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-facts-week

CALLS FOR PUBLIC INPUT

PARTICIPATE IN THE HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 PROCESS–PUBLIC COMMENT NOW OPEN

Public comment is now open for the Healthy People 2020 process. The public can comment on proposed new objectives to be added to a number of topic areas, including Heart, Disease, and Stroke and Early and Middle Childhood, which includes the proportion of children with ADHD who receive recommended treatment. Comments are accepted through November 7, 2014 until 5:00 PM ET.

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center is currently soliciting applications from communities interested in developing integrated strategies to better identify and respond to the needs of adults with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders in contact with the criminal justice system. Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) is a one-day workshop designed to allow local, multidisciplinary teams of people from jurisdictions to facilitate collaboration and to identify and discuss ways in which barriers between the criminal justice, mental health, and substance abuse systems can be reduced and to begin development of integrated local plans. Applications due December 5, 2014.

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation is soliciting applications from communities interested in its How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses training. The target audiences for this training are community-based criminal justice system professionals, including police, community corrections (probation, parole, and pre-trial services officers), court personnel, and other human service providers. The GAINS Center will offer the training events free of charge to 10 selected communities between February 2015 and August 2015. Since the purpose of this training initiative is to offer targeted technical assistance and training to prepared communities in the field, there are no fees for registration, tuition, or materials associated with these trainings. Applications due December 5, 2014.

NATIONWIDE RECRUITMENT: BIPOLAR DISORDER ADULT RESEARCH STUDY

BIPOLAR DISORDER & RILUZOLE (OUTPATIENT OR INPATIENT: 8 WEEKS)

This study of Riluzole (an FDA-approved drug for Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS) tests how this drug affects glutamate in the brain and improves treatment-resistant depressive symptoms (failure to reduce symptoms after taking two or more antidepressants.) Recruiting ages 18-70. [03-M-0092]

The Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide outreach initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) that enlists state and national organizations in a partnership to increase the public’s access to science-based mental health information through partnerships with national and state nonprofit organizations. For more information about the program please visit:

The information provided in the Update is intended for use by NIMH Outreach Partners, National Partners and their associates for the express purpose of exchanging information that may be useful in the development of state and local mental health outreach, information, education and partnership programs.

From the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) Outreach Partnership:

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Research Prioritization Task Force is excited to announce that the finalized document—A Prioritized Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention: An Action Plan to Save Lives—is now available for download online. You can access it by visitingwww.suicide-research-agenda.org.

The Agenda outlines 30 research pathways that could help decrease the number of both suicide attempts and deaths in the United States. In addition to input from a Stakeholder Survey, the Agenda also was developed based on a literature review, portfolio analysis, mapping of the burden of suicide, and input from over 70 researchers in the field who examined what research areas show the most promise in reducing the suicide rates in the U.S.

The goal is for this Agenda to be used by funding organizations to help guide them in their funding decisions, as well as the researchers themselves regarding the types of research they conduct in the future. And we encourage family members, policymakers, and other interested individuals to use the Agenda to help advocate for the field of suicide prevention research.

We hope that this Agenda will help to move the suicide prevention research field forward and to save lives!

Research Prioritization Task Force
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Last week the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Research Prioritization Task Force released A Prioritized Research Agenda for Suicide Prevention: An Action Plan to Save Lives. This is the first ever national Prioritized Research Agenda aimed at guiding research toward efforts to reduce suicide.

To further engage the community regarding the Prioritized Research Agenda, the Research Prioritization Task Force would like to invite you to join us for a Twitter Chat on Tuesday, February 18 from 12 to 1 p.m. ET.

Dr. Jane Pearson, Chair of the Suicide Research Consortium at the National Institute of Mental Health and staff lead for the Research Prioritization Task Force, and Bob Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and a member of the Research Prioritization Task Force, will be answering your questions! Join the conversation by following @Action_Alliance, @NIMHgov, and @afspnational and tweeting your questions with the hashtag #SuicideResearch. You can view the live stream of tweets attwubs.com. An archive will be available shortly after the chat.